Australian CDC provides update on evolving diphtheria outbreak

Since the diphtheria outbreak began in the Northern Territory (NT), the first suspected death in Australia in nearly a decade has been reported and cases have spread to several states across the country.

The Australian Centre for Disease Control (CDC) and Communicable Diseases Network Australia (CDNA) have developed national guidance on diphtheria outbreak management for state and territory public health units responding to the outbreak.

The Australian CDC is also advising anyone travelling to higher risk areas to check their vaccination status and consider getting vaccinated if they have not had a diphtheria vaccine in the past 5 years.

View the latest resources from the CDC:

• Diphtheria outbreak update (20 May 2026)
• CDNA Interim guidance for diphtheria outbreak management (April 2026)
• Current status

HealthPathways also has permanent clinical content about diphtheria on their Sore Throat pathway.